A lot of people eat their food fast and mindlessly. It’s a very bad habit that can lead to overeating, weight gain, and obesity. This article explains why eating too fast may be one of the leading drivers of weight gain.

Eating Fast Can Make You Overeat

In today’s busy world, people often eat quickly and in a hurry. However, your brain needs time to process signals of fullness (1). In fact, it may take up to 20 minutes for the brain to realize that you’re full.

When you eat fast, it’s much easier to eat a lot more food than your body really needs. Over time, excess calorie intake can lead to weight gain. One study in children found that 60% of those who ate rapidly also overate. The fast eaters were also three times more likely to be overweight (2).

Bottom Line: It takes your brain around 20 minutes to realize that you’ve had enough to eat. Being a fast eater is associated with overeating.

Eating Fast Is Linked to an Increased Risk of Obesity

In fact, there are complicated environmental and lifestyle factors at play (3). For example, fast eating has been studied as a potential risk factor for becoming overweight and obese (4, 5, 6, 7, 8). One recent review of 23 studies found that fast eaters were approximately twice as likely to be obese, compared to slow eaters (9).

Bottom Line: Fast eating is associated with excess body weight. In fact, fast eaters may be up to twice as likely to be obese compared to those who eat slowly.

Eating Fast Can Lead to Many Other Health Problems

Eating fast may not only increase your risk of becoming overweight and obese. It may also lead to other health problems, including…

Eating too quickly has been linked to a higher risk of insulin resistance. This condition, characterized by high blood sugar and insulin levels, is a hallmark of type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome (10, 11, 12).

Eating fast has been associated with a higher risk of type 2 diabetes. One study found fast eaters were 2.5 times more likely to get the disease compared to those who ate more slowly 13, 14).

Metabolic Syndrome

Rapid eating may increase the risk of metabolic syndrome, a group of risk factors that may raise your risk of diabetes, heart disease and many other common health problems (15, 16).

Poor Digestion

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Fast eaters commonly report they experience poor digestion as a consequence of eating too quickly. They may take larger bites and chew their food less than slow eaters do, which may affect digestion.

Lower Satisfaction

This may not be a health problem, but it’s still very important. Fast eaters tend to rate their meals as less pleasant, compared to slow eaters (17).

Bottom Line: Eating fast may contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. It may also lead to poor digestion and decreased enjoyment of food.

How to Slow Down Your Eating

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Eating more slowly may provide various health benefits. It may increase your levels of satiety hormones, help you feel fuller and decrease your calorie intake (1, 17). It may also improve your digestion and increase your enjoyment of food.

If you want to eat more slowly, here are a few techniques you can try:

Don’t eat in front of screens: Eating in front of a TV, computer, smartphone or other distraction may lead you to eat fast and mindlessly. It can also make you lose track of how much you’ve eaten.

Put your fork down between each mouthful: This will help you slow down and enjoy each bite more.

Don’t get too hungry: Avoid becoming extremely hungry between meals. It can make you eat too fast and make poor food decisions. Keep some healthy snacks around to prevent this from happening.

Sip on water: Drinking water throughout your meal will help you feel full and encourage you to slow down.

Chew thoroughly: Chew your food more often before swallowing. It may help to count how many times you chew each bite. Aim to chew each mouthful of food 20–30 times.

Eat foods rich in fiber:High-fiber foods like fruits and vegetables are not only very filling, they also take quite a long time to chew.

Take small bites: Taking smaller bites may help you slow down your eating pace and make your meal last longer.

Eat mindfully:Mindful eating is a powerful tool. The fundamental principle behind it is to pay attention to the food you’re eating. Some of the exercises above are practiced in mindful eating.

Check out this video on How To Eat Slower and More Mindfully:

Like all new habits, eating slowly takes practice and patience. Start with just one of the tips above and develop the habit from there. To learn more about how eating slowly can help you lose weight, read this article.

Take Home Message

Eating fast is a common practice in today’s fast-paced world. While it can save you a few minutes during mealtimes, it may also increase your risk of a range of health problems, including obesity and type 2 diabetes.

If weight loss is your goal, eating fast may be hindering your progress. Eating more slowly, on the other hand, can provide powerful benefits. So slow down and savor each and every bite.

Daily articles about nutrition, weight loss, and health. All articles are based on scientific evidence, written and fact checked by experts. Our licensed nutritionists and dietitians strive to be objective and honest, and present both sides of the argument.

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